The School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG) Capstone students officially launched their project, titled “Operation Feed My Family,” at Delight International School in Olodi-Apapa, Lagos.
The event highlighted the activities of the Delight International School students, aligned with the Capstone campaign’s “trash to treasure” theme. It showcased the progress made since the project’s commissioning a few weeks earlier.
During the launch, Mr Oluwasegun Adeniyi-James, a member of the Capstone team, explained the objectives and goals of the project.
He emphasized its alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on Zero Hunger and Climate Change.
Adeniyi-James highlighted the urgent need for the project, considering the constraints of land in Lagos and the projected population growth in Nigeria, which necessitate a focus on food security.
He called on everyone present to engage in urban farming, even in small ways, using discarded plastic containers that contribute to environmental degradation.
He showcased examples of household farming, including balcony gardening, backyard cultivation, and vertical farming, to inspire the audience to take action and participate in the project at their individual level.
Mrs J. E. Balogun, a representative of the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, encouraged the students to actively participate in backyard farming to support their households and contribute to Nigeria’s food production.
She emphasized the importance of food security for the country’s future and urged the host school and other invited schools to establish “Agric Clubs” to promote agriculture and foster interest in farming from an early age.
Mr Olusola Malomo, representing the State Nutrition Officer from the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Department of Nutrition, commended the SPPG and the Food Security Capstone team for their initiative.
He highlighted the prevalence of malnutrition and food insecurity in many families and stressed the importance of the project in addressing these challenges.
He encouraged the students to see themselves as agents of change and leaders of tomorrow, emphasizing the role of education in solving societal problems.
During the event, Mrs Christiana Njemanze, the Chairperson of the Delight School’s Parents Teachers Association (PTA), presented prizes to six students who won an essay competition on food security and nutrition. She commended the awardees and all the students who submitted entries, recognizing their leadership potential.
Ms Roberta Okereke, representing the SPPG, encouraged the students to consider potential careers in food security and nutrition, highlighting the multidisciplinary possibilities across the food systems domains and agricultural value chain.
She praised the awardees of the essay competition and assured them that their winning entries would be showcased on the SPPG website.
Guests were given a tour of the garden cultivated within the school premises, despite limited space. The crops planted by the students, with the assistance of their agricultural teacher, Mrs Amatam, were thriving on vertical racks provided by the Capstone students, demonstrating the effectiveness of space-saving techniques.
The Food Security Capstone team also announced the “Best Harvest Competition,” open to individual students from Delight International School and the invited schools present at the launch. Participants are required to document the progress of their crops from planting until the competition’s end in August. This ensures a comprehensive record of their entries.
Dr Victor Ajieroh, a member of the Food Security Capstone team, emphasized the philosophy of the project, which recognizes that small actions can make a big difference. He emphasized the importance of taking action to address household food and nutrition security, even in the face of evolving challenges.
“Operation Feed My Family” aligns with the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) program to build Green Cities and combat food insecurity.
It aims to encourage school children to engage in growing fruits and vegetables within schools and replicate these practices in their homes and communities. The project also promotes the “trash to treasure” concept by utilizing discarded plastic, tires, buckets, and other materials as planting media, promoting environmental consciousness.
The project collaborates with Delight International Secondary School, Olodi-Apapa, Lagos State, and Government Secondary School, Wuse, FCT Abuja, to achieve its objectives.
The Lagos team lead, Mrs Olaoluwa Makinde, emphasized their focus on urban and community-based farming and their commitment to promoting individual and household food and nutrition security.
The SPPG, affiliated with the FixPolitics initiative based in Abuja, operates as an unconventional school that attracts and develops a new generation of political leaders dedicated to sustainable multi-sectoral development in Nigeria.
As part of the SPPG curriculum, students complete a community-focused capstone project aligned with the SDGs. These projects provide opportunities for students to initiate meaningful contributions within defined local communities.
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